State v. Danforth
Supreme Court of Connecticut
THIS was an information against Stephen Danforth, charging him with having made, on the 30th of October, 1818, with force and arms, an assault upon the body of David Butler, of Mew-Haven, keeper of Mew-Haven county gaol, who had entered the apartment of the gaol in which the prisoner was confined, for the purpose of examining the condition of the gaol; “ when and where the said Stephen, with intent to maim and kill the said Butler, with the like force and arms, did make a…
Read the full summary
THIS was an information against Stephen Danforth, charging him with having made, on the 30th of October, 1818, with force and arms, an assault upon the body of David Butler, of Mew-Haven, keeper of Mew-Haven county gaol, who had entered the apartment of the gaol in which the prisoner was confined, for the purpose of examining the condition of the gaol; “ when and where the said Stephen, with intent to maim and kill the said Butler, with the like force and arms, did make a violent attack upon the body of the said David, and, with a large and heavy piece of oak hogshead heading, did then and…
1Opinion of the Court
Hosmer, Ch. J.
In this case three objections have been made to the court’s rendering judgment against the prisoner.
The first is, that the prosecution is not founded oil statute. It is contended, that there never existed a common law defining crimes ; and if there had been one formerly, that the late constitution would have abolished it. On this head of objection I am incapable of entertaining a doubt. The principle contended for is perfectly novel. The country from whence our ideas of jurisprudence have principally emanated, and our sister states, have a common law defining and punishing…
2Cases cited7 opinions
- The United States v. Hudson and GoodwinSupreme Court of the United States · 1812
- Chisholm v. GeorgiaSupreme Court of the United States · 1793
- Ex Parte Bollman and SwartwoutSupreme Court of the United States · 1807
- United States v. CoolidgeSupreme Court of the United States · 1816
- Commonwealth v. KnowltonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1807
2 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by14 opinions
- State v. AverySupreme Court of Connecticut · 1828
- Belknap v. GleasonSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1836
- State v. BlydenSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1973
- Frese v. StateSupreme Court of Florida · 1887
- Fimara v. GarnerSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1913
9 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.